Show-front or show-case.



PATENTED DEG.-15, 1903 J. L. CRANE. SHOW FRONT OR SHOW CASE.

APPLIOATION FILED 0OT.17. 1903.

.NO-MODEL.

WI TNESSES INVENT B) U 5 Li A 2352? R |s PETERS co. PHOTO- LITKO., msnmmora n 1;

Urrnn Starts Patented December 15, 1903.

aranr rricn.

JAMES L. CRANE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A SSIGNOR TO THOMAS J. CRANE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SHOW-FRONT OR SHOW CASE.

XEEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,14c8, dated December 15, 1903.

Application filed October 17, 1903- .1 all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES L. CRANE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Show-Fronts or Show- Oases; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in lhe art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in so-called all-glass? show-fronts or showcases.

The primary object of this invention is to arrange a brace between two glass plates which are arranged with a side edge of each of the said plates adjacent a side edge of the other of the said plates and to provide means for fastening the said plates to the brace without necessitatingthe drilling ofahole through the brace and without the drilling of holes in or recessing of the plates.

With this object in View and to the end of realizing other ad vantages hereinafter appearing this invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is aviewin perspective of a show-frontorshowcase embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan in section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 4 4, Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are drawn on a larger scale than Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan in section, illustrating the greater portion of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, a represents the base of a show-front or show-case, and b b and c c and d designate upright glass plates assembled upon the said base. The plates 1) and b are arranged opposite each other and a suitable distance apart. The plates 0 and c constitute the front of the show-window or show-case and are arranged in line edgewise between the plates 12 and b. The two front plates 0 and c are separated the distance re- Serial No. 177,373. (No model.)

quired to accommodate the location between them of the thickness of another upright glass plate d, which extends from between the op' posinginner side edges of the two front plates inwardly a suitable distance and forms a brace. Both front plates 0 and c are fastened to the intervening plate or brace d, preferably at suitable intervals vertically.

The construction thus far described is substantiallythe same as that disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 710,141, granted to me September 30, 1902.

The invention which constitutes the subject-matter of this application pertains more especially to improvements in fastening the front plates 0 and c to the brace d without necessitating the drilling of a hole through the said brace and without drilling or recessing of the said plates. As shown, my improved means for fastening the plates 0 and c to the brace 61 comprises, preferably, any suitable number of metal straps G, arranged at suitable intervals vertically and extending in a horizontal plane around and clamped or drawn against the outer side edge of the said brace. Each strap G is made in any approved manuer and extends somewhat inwardly beyond the inner side edge of the, brace (Z and opposite the said edge is provided with a screw-threaded hole g, engaged by a correspondingly-threaded screw h, which extends into engagement with the said edge of thebrace and bears at the free end of the shank against the said edge, and obviously the strap is tightened or loosened at the outer side edge of the brace relative to the said edge according as the screw is turned in the one direction or the other, and of course the said strap is drawn tightly against the said edge of the brace when the parts are assembled, so as to prevent vertical displacement. of the strap. The plates 0 are separated from the brace d far enough to accommodate the location of the straps G, and cement or any suit- 5 able filling (not shown) is applied between the inner side edge of each plate 0 and the brace 61 all along the said brace except where the straps G extend between the said brace and said plate, so that no open space is left Ioc between the inner side edges of the plates 0 and the brace.

til

Each strap G is longitudinally slotted, as at f, at each side of the brace d from the outer side edge of the said brace d inwardly a suitable distance beyond the inner sides of the plates 0, and each slotfis engaged by a metal bar L, which is arranged on edge within and extends longitudinally of the said slot and is adjustable endwise. It will be observed, therefore, that two. metal bars L are provided within each strap G at opposite sides, respectively, of the brace d and directly opposite each other and extend between the brace and the inner side edge of the different plates 0, respectively. Each bar L is provided at its outer end with a flange or wing Z, which overlaps and abuts against the outer side of the adjacent plate 0. The inner portion of each bar L is bifurcated, having a slot k, which extends longitudinally of the bar from the inner extremity of the bar outwardly a suitable distance. Each bar L extends inwardly beyond the inner end of the adjacent slotfof the adjacent strap G, and the inner and slotted end portion of the said bar therefore overlaps the outer side of the said strap at the inner end of the said slot.

At the outer side of each bar L and extending from the inner side of the adjacent plate 0 inwardly asuit-able distance is another bar M, which extends longitudinally of the said bar L and is provided at its outer end and adjacent the said plate with a flange or wing m, which overlaps and abuts against the inner side of the said plate. Each bar M is provided with a slot n, arranged longitudinally of the bar and in registry with the slot in the adjacent bar L, and the said registering slots it; and n are engaged'by a stud J, with which the adjacent strap G is provided, which stud projects through the said slots and asuitable distance beyond the outer side of the said bar M, and a correspondingly screw-threaded nut Q is mounted upon the said stud at and overlaps and bears against the outer side'of the last-mentioned bar.

By the construction hereinbefore described it is obvious that the bars L and M are adjustable endwise and consequently latterally of.

the plates 0 to accommodate plates of different thicknesses and that the bars are secured in the desired adjustment, or rendered free to be adjusted, by a proper manipulation of the nuts Q.

I would remark that the adjustability of the bars L is more especially important, because in the construction of show-windows or showcases embodying my invention the plates 0 and 0 would generally be set with their inner sides exactly in the same plane, so that any inequality in the thicknesses of the said plates would have to be accommodated by a proper adjustment of the said bars. It will be observed, also, that the bars L, having their inner end portions bifurcated, are capable of application from the outer sides of the plates 0 as required after the said plates are placed in position.

To readily accommodate the application of the bars L, the inner end portion of each bar L is not only bifurcated but gradually reduced in thickness toward the inner extremity of the bar, as shown very clearly in Fig. 5, and the portion of the strap G which is overlapped by the said portion of the said bar is gradually reduced in thickness toward the outer side edge of the brace d. Hence the inner side of the inner bifurcated or slotted portion of each bar L forms an incline which slopes laterally away from the brace din the direction of the inner extremity of the said bar and when the said bar is secured in place tightly engages a correspondingly-inclined surface formed upon the outer side of the strap G, to which the saidbar is secured.-

To more effectually retain the bars L in place when they are secured in the desired adjustment, each bar L upon the sloping inner side of its inner and bifurcated portion is provided with slight vertically-arranged ribs or teeth 0, which mesh or interlock with correspondingly-arranged ribs or teeth 19, formed upon the opposing sloping surface of the strap G, to which the said bar is secured. In other Words, the opposing sloping surfaces of each strap G and the bars L, secured to the said strap, are roughened, so that the said bars are not liable to be displaced outwardly by force, accidentally, or otherwise applied when the parts are secured in place.

It is evident that the bars L are removable, being rendered free to be removed from the outer sides of the plates 0 upon loosening the nuts Q, and that the bifurcating of the inner end portions of the said bars renders them sufficiently yieldable laterally to prevent the roughened sloping surfaces of the said bars and of the strap G from interfering with the application of the said bars from the outer sides of the said plates.

What I claim is- 1. In a show-case or show-front, the combination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate, and a brace arranged adjacent and extending along the said edges, of a strap extending in a horizontal plane around the brace,which strap tightly bears against the outer edge of the brace and is provided opposite the inner edge of the brace with a screw-threaded hole,- and a correspondingly-threaded screw engaging the said hole and hearing, at the free end. of its shank, against the inner edge of the brace, and means for fastening the plates to the strap.

2. In a show-case or show-front, the combination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate, and a brace arranged adjacent and extending along the said edges, of astrap extending in a horizontal plane around and secured to the brace, and means for fastening the plates to the strap.

3. In a show-case or show-front, the com bi- ICC verses nation, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate, and a brace arranged adjacent and extending along the said edges, of

j a metal strap embracing andsecured to the brace, and means for fastening the plates to the strap. I

4:. In a showcase or show-front, the com bination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate, and a brace arranged adjacent and extending along the said edges, of a strap embracing and secured to the brace, and devices for fastening the plates to the strap and having removable members overlapping the outer sides of the plates,and other members overlapping the inner sides of the plates.

5. In a show-case or show-front, the combination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate, and a brace arranged and extending along the. said edges,of a strap embracing and secured to the brace, and devices for fastening the plates to the strap and having members overlapping the inner sides of the plates, and other members overlapping the outer sides of the plates and adjustable toward and from the first-mentioned plateoverlappiug members.

6. In a show-case or show-front, the combination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate, and a brace interposed be tween the said edges and extending inwardly beyond the inner sides of the plates, of a strap embracing and secured to the brace, and bars extending between the brace and the aforesaid edges and having members overlapping the outer sides of the plates, which bars are secured to the strap and adjustable endwise.

7. In a show-case or show-fron t, the com bination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate, and a brace arranged and extending along the said edges, of a strap extending horizontally around and secured to the brace; bars arranged between the brace and the aforesaid edges and having members overlapping the outer sides of the plates, which bars extend longitudinally of the strap and are adjustable endwise, and means for securing the said bars to the strap in the desired adjustment.

8. In a show-case or show-front, the combination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate, and a brace interposed between and extending along the said edges, of a strap extending horizontally around and secured to the brace; bars arranged between the brace and the aforesaid edges and having members overlapping the outer sides of the plates, which bars extend longitudinally of the strap and are adjustable endwise, and means for securing the said bars to the strap in the desired adjustment, and each of the said barsand the strap havingmutually-engaging roughened surfaces.

9. In a show-case or show-front, the combination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edgeof the other plate, and a brace interposed between and extending along the said edges, of a strap extending horizontally around and secured to the brace and provided at the sides and exteriorly with vertically-arranged ribs or teeth; bars arranged between the brace and the aforesaid edges and having members overlapping the outer sides of the plates, which bars extend longitudinally of the strap and are adjustable endwise and have ribs or teeth meshing with the aforesaid ribs or teeth of the strap, and means for securing the said bars to'the strap in the desired adjustment.

10. In ashow-case orshow-front, the com bination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate, and a brace interposed be tween the saidedges, of a metal strap extending in a horizontal plane around and secured to the brace, which strap is provided,

between the brace and the plates, with slots which extend from adjacent the outer edge ofthe brace inwardly; bars extendinglongitudinaily of and adjustable endwise within the said slots, which bars are provided, at the outer sides of the plates, with flanges or wings overlapping the said sides of the plates, and means for securing the said bars in the desired adjustment.

11. In a show-case or show-front, the combination, with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate,an d a brace interposed between the said edgesandextendinginwardly beyond the inner sides of the plates, of a metal strap embracing and secured to the brace, which strap is provided, at the sides of the brace, with slots which extend longitudinally of the straps; bars extending longitudinally of and adjustable endwise within the said slots and having slots extending longitudinally of the bars, which bars are provided, at the outer sides of the plates, with flanges or wings overlapping the said sides of the plates; studs rigid with the strap and projecting through the slots in the bars, and nuts upon the studs.

12. In ashow-caseorshow-front, the combination, with an upright plate and a brace arranged adjacent and extending along a side edge of the said plate, of a metal strap embracing and secured to the brace, which strap extends crosswise of the brace; a bar extending longitudinally and adjustable endwise of the strap and having a slot extending longitudinally of the bar outwardly from the inner extremity of the bars, which bar is provided, at the outer side of the plate, with a flange or wing overlapping the said side of the plate;

a stud rigid with the strap and projecting through the aforesaid slot, and a nut upon the stud.

13. In a show-case or show-front, the combination,with two glass plates arranged with a side edge of each plate adjacent a side edge of the other plate,and abraceinterposed between the said edges and extending in wardly beyond the inner sides of the plates, of a metal strap embracing and secured to the brace, which strap extends transversely of the sides of the brace and is provided, at the said sides, with slots which extend from the outer edge of-the brace inwardly beyond the inner sides of the plates; bars extending longitudinally of and adjustable endwise within the said slots and having slots extending longitudinally of the bars, which bars are provided,at the outer sides of the plates, with flanges or Wings overlapping the said sides of the plates; other bars arranged at the inner sides of plates and extending along the first-mentioned bars and provided with flanges or wings overlapping the said inner sides of the plates; studs rigid with the strap and projecting through the slots in the first-mentioned bars and through the last-mentioned bars, and nuts on the studs at the outer sides of the said last-mentioned bars.

14. In a show-case or show-front, the combithe other p1ate,and abraceinterposed between the said edges and extending inwardly beyond the inner sides of the plates, of a strap embracing and secured to the brace, which'strap extends crosswise of the sides of the brace and is provided, at the said sides, with slots which extend longitudinally of the strap; bars extending longitudinally of and adjustable endwise within the said slots and overlapping the outer side of the strap inwardly beyond the inner ends of the slots, which bars are provided, at the outer sides of the plates, with flanges or wings overlapping the said sides of the plates, and means for securing the said bars in the desired adjustment and the opposing surfaces of the strap and strapoverlapping inner end portions of the bars being roughened and sloping laterally and away from the brace toward the inner ends of the bars.

In testimony whereof I sign the foregoing specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this 7th day of October, 1903, at Cleveland, Ohio.

JAMES L. CRANE.

Witnesses:

O. H. Donne, G. M. HAYES. 

